What are gaming communities and what separates the fun from the toxic?

A cool and interesting clip that didn't quite make it into the show, but is still worth listening to. And inspired a future episode.

Note: This clip hasn't gone through audio edits, so this is basically the raw sound from the mic to your ears, so be ready for any pain that might cause.

In this episode, we discuss replayability in video games. We go into what makes a game replayable, why replayability is important to gamers, the various a game can structure its replayability factor, and more!

In this Appetizer mini-episode, Connor, Grant, and Paige are joined by Neil Phelps -- an independent filmmaker and actor -- to discuss the ins and outs of voice acting in video games. What makes for good voice acting, what voice acting has done for the industry, how voice acting can change a game, and examples of some games that got voice acting right/wrong all come into the conversation during this mini-episode.

We explore the benefits games can have in day to day life, what actual literal therapeutic benefits they might have, and why Left 4 Dead can be an essential part of working retail.

NOTE: We swear pretty freely on the podcast, but in this episode, Jessica uses a word for genitalia that some people see as more offensive. Be aware that that's in there.

In our first appetizer mini-episode, Volcano Bakemeat's crew discuss casual gaming. Grant and Jessica talk about the time a frat's constant soundtrack contributed to their Robot Unicorn Attack war, Paige admits a shameful love for a terrible gaming genre, and we all try to unpack the stigma associated with casual gaming.

The topic of choice in video games is absolutely huge, so in this episode we (attempt) to limit our discussion to one aspect: Even having a choice in the first place. We debate the pros and cons of letting a player choose anything and then ask the pretentious existential question if you can actually choose anything in the first place (...in video games).

We talk about how to make a good adaptation, why people assume game adaptations will be bad and why Jessica gets to say butthole at work.

Volcano Bakemeat Radio discusses games that were made for kids, but we still love playing. We talk about what parts of those games keep us coming back, how to create games that don't talk down to their audience and how to be a respectful adult player in a kid's space. Also which kid's game is still haunting Paige's nightmares.